Photos, Programs, and Goals for 2019-2020

Keeping the Collection Current

The FHS Media Center took on a large weeding/de-selection of non-fiction materials. This had not been thoroughly done for over 10 years. Materials were removed based on accuracy of content, age and condition, amount of times checked out, and general and curricular interest and need. The FHS Media Center held a "free sale" for any materials that were in decent condition, but were no longer needed in the collection. Teachers, staff, and student patrons browsed the tables and were free to take any items of interest. Books that were either too outdated and not current, or in poor condition were recycled. Some were made into the Tree of Books in the photos above, several carts went to the art classes for recycled art projects, and the rest will be formally recycled. Weeding/de-selection is done in order to make room on the shelves for more current and up-to-date materials.

Yoga and Mindfulness at FHS Media Center

The Mindfulness and Yoga program was started this year, 2018-2019 by Mrs. Rachael Hassell. It was determined at the end of the 2018 school year that Social-Emotional Learning needs would be on our list of school improvement goals for 2018-2019, and that these needs would be addressed by each staff member this year. Mrs. Hassell, a mindfulness practitioner herself, examined what her role in this goal might look like. She spent her summer of 2018 getting certified to teach adolescent yoga, and explore secular mindfulness with students. Upon receiving a Donor's Choose Grant in the early fall, she was awarded 30 yoga mats for use in this program.

Overall, the Mindfulness and Yoga program was a pretty big success. Over 100 students were exposed to both formal and informal mindfulness training by practicing yoga and mindful movement, breath work, discussions related to stress and test anxiety, guided relaxations, mindful eating, and much more. This is a program we hope to continue and further grow in years to come.

Temporary Program Cancellations

Unfortunately, due to budget constraints and lack of adequate timing, several annual programs were not offered in the 2018-2019 school year.

A favorite program that was temporarily cut was the Love Your Library Month coffee bar that the FHS Media Center hosted in order to celebrate the ALA Award winning books. This event typically takes place in late February or early March. Media Services students select one of the ALA awards to highlight. All new books are purchased and displayed, as well as all former award winners. The FHS Media Center purchases coffee, hot chocolate and other supplies and offers a free coffee bar for students to enjoy while they browse the displays and check out books. This event was unfortunately cut for this year because we were not able to afford to purchase the new award winning books or supply the coffee bar.

Other events that were temporarily cancelled were the March is Reading Month contests and events, the FHS Book Fair held annually each December, and April is Poetry Month contests and events.

It is the hope of the FHS Media Center to include these events and more in the 2019-2020 school year, budget permitting.

2019-2020 Plans and Goals

Plans for 2019-2020 include:

  • Finish the large weeding/de-selection project - we did not complete the 800s
    • Continue mainta
  • Rearrange the FHS Media Center space
    • Create new signage
    • Fiction/Genres will be moved to the back wall
    • Non-Fiction will move to the front side wall
    • New sections will be created: Planning for Your Future and Self-Care
      • These sections will offer both print and online resources and displays
    • Move the stand up print stations to the center of the Media Center
  • Purchase more graphic novels - This section is the smallest in the collection and but is the 4th most checked out; it is apparent that there is student interest and budget permitting will be expanded
  • Re-offer the programs that were temporarily cut in the 2018-2019 school year
  • Photo document more events